Back in the 18th century, it was the infamous castrati who ruled the theatrical stages of Europe.
Tall, gangly eunuchs, they had been mutilated during childhood in an attempt to preserve their angelic singing voices. Deprived of testosterone, their voices remained astonishingly high -- a boy's voice in the body of a full-grown adult male.
They were strange, yet compelling performers and became the biggest pop stars of their day.
